Independent participatory media for Iran

Shahindokht Molaverdi, the head of women’s and family affairs, told the eighth meeting of women’s affairs advisors and executives that she feels she is completely blocked from taking any action in her governmental capacity.

At a meeting in Tehran on Saturday January 3, Molaverdi referred to her letter to President Rohani’s planning deputy, criticizing the “replacement of the word women with family” in the proposed sixth development plan, saying this sends “a specific message” to the public.

The Jamaran website reports that Molaverdi has criticized the absence of the word “woman” in the draft of the sixth development policies.

Hassan Rohani’s Deputy of Women’s and Family Affairs was quoted as saying: “As a member of the cabinet, I have no knowledge of what general policies have been proposed to the Expediency Council by the Planning Organization.”

Molaverdi slammed the Rohani administration for creating obstacles for the slightest activities of the Women’s Affairs office.
She added that most ministries do not allow Women’s Affairs advisers to take part in administrative meetings.

Molaverdi described her situation as someone “whose limbs have been crucified being asked to compete in a running race.”

In the reformist government of President Khatami, the Office of Women’s and Family Affairs was called “the Women’s Participation Centre. Under the Mahmoud Ahmadinejad administration, its name was changed to the Women’s and Family Affairs Centre.